The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/basketball/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Wed, 10 Jun 2026 01:39:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png basketball | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/basketball/ 32 32 Avdija’s breakout NBA season ends as Trail Blazers knocked out of playoffs https://www.timesofisrael.com/avdijas-breakout-nba-season-ends-as-trail-blazers-knocked-out-of-playoffs/ Wed, 29 Apr 2026 07:56:11 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3812539 Israeli basketball star scores 22 points as team loses to San Antonio Spurs

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]]> In first for an Israeli, Avdija leads Portland to NBA playoffs with 41 points https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-first-for-an-israeli-avdija-leads-portland-to-nba-playoffs-with-41-points/ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 05:43:00 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3802434 Lead changes several times throughout game with Phoenix; Trail Blazers to face San Antonio in first round of Western Conference playoffs

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]]> On the record and off the court: Meet the only Jewish player on the NCAA championship team https://www.timesofisrael.com/on-the-record-and-off-the-court-meet-the-only-jewish-player-on-the-ncaa-championship-team/ Sat, 11 Apr 2026 23:14:17 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3799548 Harrison Hochberg reflects on being a member of Michigan’s winning squad, celebrating Passover during the Final Four, confronting antisemitism, and doing his well-known grandfather proud

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]]> Jewish ex-NBA star Amar’e Stoudemire set for Hall of Fame https://www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-former-nba-star-amare-stoudemire-reportedly-heading-to-hall-of-fame/ Wed, 01 Apr 2026 20:24:35 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3793142 An Israeli citizen and devout covert to Judaism after retirement, the 6-time NBA All-Star and Israeli league veteran reportedly to be inducted into the sport's pantheon

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]]> In first, NBA game features 3 Israelis — Avdija, Wolf and Saraf https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-first-nba-game-features-3-israelis-avdija-danny-wolf-and-ben-saraf/ Tue, 17 Mar 2026 23:12:26 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3780719 All-Star Deni Avidja says energy reminded him of Menora arena in Tel Aviv, after he and Ben Saraf hug and exchange jerseys, as Jewish basketball fans show up in force

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]]> Yeshiva knocked out in Sweet 16, as Zevi Samet scores 43 in his last game with Maccabees https://www.timesofisrael.com/yeshiva-knocked-out-in-sweet-16-as-zevi-samet-scores-43-in-his-last-game-with-maccabees/ Sat, 14 Mar 2026 02:26:12 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3777565 YU coach predicts future success for team despite graduation of several top players, including Samet, who says highlight of his time at school was the 'awesome friendships' he made

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]]> Deni Avdija makes history as first Israeli to play as NBA All-Star https://www.timesofisrael.com/basketballer-deni-avdija-makes-history-as-first-israeli-to-play-as-nba-all-star/ Mon, 16 Feb 2026 03:01:07 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3755294 Avdija scores 5 points and makes 4 assists during 15 minutes on basketball court, though his team of international stars loses both contests, missing out on round-robin championship

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]]> NBA star Deni Avdija laments ‘all the hate’ for being Israeli amid on-court success https://www.timesofisrael.com/nba-star-deni-avdija-laments-all-the-hate-for-being-israeli-amid-on-court-success/ Fri, 23 Jan 2026 07:15:55 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3739817 Israeli power forward is in running for All-Star game, is current odds-on favorite to win Most Improved Player award, as he enjoys breakout season with Portland Trail Blazers

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]]> Avdija falls short of NBA All-Star starting lineup, still has hope to be a reserve https://www.timesofisrael.com/avdija-falls-short-of-nba-all-star-starting-lineup-still-has-hope-to-be-a-reserve/ Tue, 20 Jan 2026 08:23:38 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3737609 While fans rate Israeli hoopster in top 5, players and media rank him lower, putting him 7th overall; coaches will now select the 7 non-starters for Feb. 12 game

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]]> Real Madrid to face Maccabi Tel Aviv in basketball match without fans, citing protests https://www.timesofisrael.com/real-madrid-to-play-maccabi-tel-aviv-basketball-game-without-fans-due-to-anti-israel-protests/ Mon, 05 Jan 2026 15:55:19 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3727257 Spanish team says game has been declared 'high risk' as hundreds of organizations call for anti-Israel rally outside Movistar Arena on Thursday

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]]> Israel’s Deni Avdija 7th in NBA All-Star Game voting in West, continuing breakout season https://www.timesofisrael.com/deni-avdija-places-seventh-in-nba-all-star-game-voting-continuing-breakout-season/ Tue, 30 Dec 2025 17:30:20 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3723427 24-year-old Portland Trail Blazers forward could become first-ever Israeli All-Star, on the heels of becoming Israel's all-time leading NBA scorer earlier this month

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]]> Deni Avdija now Israel’s all-time leading NBA scorer https://www.timesofisrael.com/deni-avdija-now-israels-all-time-leading-nba-scorer-as-he-becomes-true-hoops-star/ Sat, 06 Dec 2025 11:48:16 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3705881 Passing Omri Casspi for the record, the 24-year-old Portland forward has emerged as one of the best players in the world, and is on pace to be Israel's first-ever NBA All Star

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]]> Italian anti-Israel activists clash with cops outside Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball game https://www.timesofisrael.com/italian-anti-israel-activists-clash-with-cops-outside-maccabi-tel-aviv-basketball-game/ Sat, 22 Nov 2025 08:04:21 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3694748 Protesters chant 'Zionists out of Bologna,' hurl stones and flares, as police respond with smoke bombs and water blasts before restoring calm

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]]> As college hoops returns, boosters say golden age of Jewish coaching just tipping off https://www.timesofisrael.com/as-college-hoops-returns-boosters-say-golden-age-of-jewish-coaching-just-tipping-off/ Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:23:13 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3676470 Three of four coaches in last year's Final Four were Jewish, but it was an up-and-comer from a D-III school who won Red Auerbach honors, and more are in the pipeline as well

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]]> European basketball becomes 1st sports competition to return to Israel after ceasefire https://www.timesofisrael.com/european-basketball-becomes-1st-sports-competition-to-return-to-israel-after-ceasefire/ Tue, 21 Oct 2025 12:16:34 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3670367 Euroleague announces games will be held in Israel as of December 1, after being held in third-country venues throughout war; soccer federation expresses hope for similar return

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